“ANTHONY Joshua’s close friends have been named as the two victims in the horror car crash involving the British heavyweight boxer. Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both believed to be in their mid-30s, died after a Lexus SUV crashed into a stationary truck at a high speed on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan highway. Sign up”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both believed to be in their mid-30s, died after a Lexus SUV crashed into a stationary truck at a high speed on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan highway.
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Anthony Joshua was injured in a car crash in Nigeria that left two passengers deadCredit: Adeniyi Orojo
Anthony Joshua with pal Latif AyodeleCredit: Instagram
Sina Ghami died after a Lexus SUV crashed into a stationary truck at a high speedCredit: Snapchat Both men were travelling with Joshua, who is believed to have landed in the country on Sunday for a week-long holiday and was travelling in the back of the vehicle when it crashed.
What we know so far…
- Boxing superstar Anthony Joshua was involved in a horrific car accident that killed two.
- The cause of the crash emerges after Joshua is rushed to hospital.
- The boxing star is seen smiling in an Instagram video just hours before the fatal accident.
- Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn released a concerned statement after hearing the news on holiday.
Five men were in the Lexus at the time of the crash and two passengers reportedly “escaped unhurt”.
Two others were pronounced dead at the scene and Joshua was taken to hospital with minor injuries after he was seen being pulled from the wreckage.
A statement from an official spokesperson for Anthony Joshua said: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele.
“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.
“We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.”
Latif Ayodele, a personal trainer who goes by Healthy Mindset online, was an old friend of Joshua’s – stretching back long before his superstar boxing career.
His first post on Instagram featured Joshua back in 2015 after he won his first world title against Charles Martin.
Hours before the crash, the boxer posted a video on Instagram of them playing table tennis.
A shirtless and shoeless AJ can be seen laughing and smiling in the short clip which he shared with his 18 million followers.
Originally Kevin Ayodele, played football for Aylesbury United, Tooting & Mitcham United, Hillingdon Borough, AFC Hayes, Chalfont Wasps and Northwood.
But he converted to Islam and went by the name Latif Ayodele – AKA Latz.
Ayodele forged a career as a social media influencer, running the Instagram page Healthy Mindset.
Joshua lost two of his friends in the tragedyCredit: instagram/@healthy_mindset
Joshua pictured after he was pulled to safety by his security personnel from the wreckage of the car Based out of Dubai, Latif Ayodele promoted healthy living, training clients and producing online content.
He also rubbed shoulders with celebrities like David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Fellow former boxing world champion Badou Jack paid tribute to Ayodele with a number of photos of the pair together.
The post was captioned: “Still in shock. May Allah forgive you for your shortcomings and grant you the highest level of paradise.”
Sina, Joshua’s longtime strength and conditioning coach, also died in the crash.
Often seen in the gym with Joshua, he was in the boxer’s corner for the Jake Paul fight in Miami on December 19 when AJ knocked out the YouTuber in a mega fight on Netflix.
Sina’s first post on Instagram is also of him with Joshua in 2017 just before the massive Wembley clash with Wladimir Klitschko which saw AJ defeat the Ukrainian legend in the eleventh round.
The trainer is believed to have joined up with Team AJ out in Lagos this morning as he shared a photo at an airport in the Nigerian capital shortly after landing in the country.
The Dubai-based sports rehabilitation expert also worked with NBA star Jamal Green and NFL players Jerel Worthy and BJ Cunningham.
Rob Madden, Joshua’s former physio and Team GB staffer, paid tribute to the two “incredible” men.
Posting on Instagram, he said: “I spent so much time with you both over the years and every memory is a reminder of just how much heart you carried.
“Every time Sina called, he never went straight to business. He always checked in first. Asked about my family. Made sure I was good. That was just who he was. A huge heart, always.
“Latz was pure positivity. Someone who lifted the room just by walking into it. One of the first of AJ’s close team I met back in 2013 and a person I genuinely enjoyed being around. Solid and loyal.
“I will miss you both. The energy you brought. The laughs. The presence. The way you treated people.
“Thank you for the time, the memories, and the impact you made on all of us.”
The aftermath of the car crashCredit: Federal Road Safety Corps
Anthony Joshua seen near the mangled wreckage of the LexusCredit: x.com/@gbenga_omo The Federal Road Safety Corps says the SUV involved was suspected to have been travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit”.
They claim the car lost control during “an overtaking manoeuvre” before it crashed into the truck on the side of Lagos-Ibadan highway which is often described by local media as one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads.
Other reports say the boxer’s vehicle swerved into the truck after a tyre burst, according to The Times.
The most recent update from the Ogun state government said Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in touch with his family.
“Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.
“Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.
“A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely,” the statement says.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, issued a statement telling Joshua to use same courage he shows in the ring to recover from his injuries.
The Sun understands Joshua landed in Nigeria on Sunday after he knocked out YouTuber Jake Paul in a mega-fight in Miami on December 19.
He was joined by members from his team with no family members believed to have been with him.
Issuing a statement in the wake of the tragic collision the President of Nigeria said: “This immense tragedy casts a deep shadow on this season.
“I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident.
“As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country.
“These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson told The Sun: “We are urgently investigating reports of a road incident in Nigeria involving at least one British national and stand ready to offer consular assistance, if requested.
“Our thoughts are with those affected, and their families”.
One of the boxer’s relatives told the BBC that the crash news has “come to the family as a shock”.
They added: “We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away – I pray for the departed to rest in peace.”
It comes days after the heavyweight knocked out Paul, 28, in six rounds while brutally breaking the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s jaw in two places.
The Miami mismatch was viewed by 33 million on Netflix – with AJ already lined up for a return in Riyadh in February or March.
The two-time heavyweight champ laboured for long parts of this bizarre match-up with Paul dancing around the ring and not engaging.
A brutal overhand right sealed the deal and shut the loudmouth YouTuber up.
Joshua has been tipped to return to the ring by early 2026 following a lengthy layoff after his pummelling by Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
AJ is reportedly pencilled in for a February fight before taking on one of the biggest fights in British boxing history against Tyson Fury.
A September showdown with the Gypsy King Fury, 37, has been on the cards several times, but AJ called out his rival after the Paul KO with Wembley now in line to host.
Anthony Joshua was pictured moments after the horror crashCredit: x.com/@petezslims
The cart carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truckCredit: Federal Road Safety Corps
The vehicle was parked on the busy Lagos-Ibadan highwayCredit: Federal Road Safety Corps